Choosing a faucet for either the kitchen sink or the bathroom sink is a tricky job. Numerous styles exist and at times, the most good-looking ones at a bargain price tag just don’t work whereas the same price tag for a rustic proves to be a worthwhile long-term investment.

The wide array of faucets in the market, especially in terms of styles, materials, finishings and prices can overwhelm a lot of people. People don’t want their faucet break down in a few years; they want one that can last long. Here are some factors people should look at when they are in the market for a new faucet:

Looks are not the only thing

A lot of people choose faucets based on how good they look. This can be erroneous. It is true that looks are important but functionality matters too. But if you do want a nice-looking faucet that goes well with your bathroom theme, make sure it is convenient, functional, and dependable for a long time.

Do spend nicely but not beyond the bank

On average, people spend at least $70 on a bathtub (bathroom) faucet and approximately $100 on vacuum breaker valves. A great faucet can be found for less but the likelihood of a low-quality good looking one for a bargain price is high.

Consider The Height and Reach of The Spout

Faucet spouts have varying heights and reaches. In case there is a shelf above the sink, the one with a tall spout simply won’t fit in very well.  Similarly, in a three-bowl kitchen sink, a spout having a short reach might not extend well to all the bowls. A bathroom faucet with a short reach when used on a bathroom sink might cause people to inadvertently splash some water behind the spout when they wash their hands.

Select Drip-Proof Ceramic Valves

If people wish to avoid having a faucet that drips, then they should get a ceramic one. Other kinds of valves usually are free from dripping for quite some time, but they are often unable to match the long-term reliability ceramic offers. Faucets having ceramic valves usually cost almost the same as other faucets.

Some Finishings Can Be Tougher Than Others

The first rule about faucet finishings: choose one that matches nearby things, cabinet hardware, towel bars etc. because mismatches look strange.

If people are planning to replace their existing hardware, they can choose from a wide array of faucet finishings. A vast majority of them either have satin nickel, polished chrome or shiny bronze ones. Most of these finishings are durable and retain their looks for years.

This is the reason it has been a hot favourite for public restrooms and commercial kitchens. If people need a heavy use faucet, they can always opt for a chrome finish.

Nickel finishes are often labelled as brushed, satin or stainless steel. They also have a dull shine. Faucets of this kind are usually durable but are prone to having fingerprints smudged on them along with water spots. Hence, they are harder to clean.

Some of them have a coating that can significantly cut down smudges and stains, but that coating is not durable, and can either peel off, or be worn down.

Lastly, bronze faucets have a brownish tone, and are usually known as oiled or rubbed bronze. The surface however is an epoxy coating usually, instead of metal. This coating might look tough, but can however be chipped and scratched off easily when compared to metal.

The number of holes in the sink should be counted

If people want to switch from two handles to one handle, then they must count the number of holes in the sink. A vast majority of sinks usually have three holes; one for hot water, one for cold and the other right under the spout. There are some faucets with single handles which have a cover plate to hide the extra holes.

However, some single-handle faucets do not have those cover plates. Hence people should check the labels carefully. If people currently have a wide spread bathroom faucet with two handles distant from the spout, then they cannot switch to a single-handle model.

Those who want a kitchen faucet with a pull-down sprayer mounted in the spout, there will be an empty sprayer hole. The solution is simple as all is needed is installation of a soap dispenser. The new faucet may even include one.

A single handle is quite convenient

Two-handle faucets have a symmetrical pattern that suits a lot of bathrooms (especially traditional bathrooms). Yet, single-handle faucets have more practical advantages as they are convenient, provide water temperature adjustment and are usually easier to clean.

Pull-down sprayers are known to be much better

If people ever had a side sprayer (a spray handle present in the sink), then they have probably experienced leaks. They might also assume they have had more issues with a faucet-mounted sprayer, but that may not be the case.

Experts in plumbing and faucet production reveal that pull-down sprayers are much more reliable in comparison to old fashioned side sprayers.

Conclusion

It might seem a bit of a handful, but is surely helpful; these facts are proven and verified by experts to help you choose the right kind of faucet for either your kitchen, your bathroom or both.